Sarah Manchak

Sarah Manchak is an Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Criminal Justice Research (CCJR) at the University of Cincinnati's School of Criminal Justice (CECH). She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine, and an M.A. in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College. Her research focuses on criminal justice policy, mental health interventions, and evidence-based practices for offenders with co-occurring mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Dr. Manchak has led numerous grants totaling over $5 million from federal and state agencies, including SAMHSA and BJA, to evaluate drug courts, mental health programs, and overdose prevention initiatives. She is a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor and has advised undergraduate chapters of the Ohio Innocence Project and American Correctional Association. Her work bridges academia and practice, emphasizing collaboration between criminal justice and behavioral health systems.

Key achievements include pioneering studies on deflection strategies, racial disparities in specialty courts, and opioid treatment efficacy. She has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, with recent work featured in Psychological Services and Journal of Public Health Management. Dr. Manchak teaches at both undergraduate and graduate levels, coordinates undergraduate research, and leads a faculty-led study abroad program in Scotland.

• Education: Ph.D., UC Irvine (2011); M.A., John Jay College (2005); B.A., Seattle University (2002)
• Grants: Over $5M in federal/state funding for projects like the Hamilton County Quick Response Team and Ohio COSSAP
• Awards: Early Career Achievement (APA Division 18), Best Paper (Psychological Services)